How to: Turn on a Gas Grill…Barbecue 101

When I told my husband what I was writing about for this week’s How-to tutorial, he chuckled under his breath. “What are you laughing at?” I asked, hands on my hips and tapping my foot impatiently. Of course, I knew very well why he was so amused. Doing a step-by-step tutorial about turning on a grill sounds a little silly. However, if any of you have the same fears I had five or six years ago, you probably refuse to have anything to do with things labeled as “propane” or “ignition”. Before I learned this easy process, I was certain that one false move would cause me to blow up a city block. So, I always left it up to my husband, which wasn’t terribly convenient when I wanted to get dinner started early. So, I asked him for a lesson and now I am the master of my grill domain – there is no stopping me.

Remember that Get Grillin’ 2011 starts on Monday. Marla of Family Fresh Cooking and I can’t wait to see what appetizer creations you share with us for week one. Remember, it does not have to be an appetizer that you make on the grill. Any backyard barbecue-appropriate recipe will do. We have a fabulous prize lined up, so be sure to enter your recipes anytime next week (see this post for details). Just head to our sites on Monday to enter your recipe.How to do it:

Disclaimer: I am by no means a barbecue expert, so be sure to refer to the owner’s manual for your grill before use.

Be sure your grill is situated in a well-ventilated area, and open the lid of the grill.

Turn the valve on the propane tank one full turn counter-clockwise.

I used to turn the valve as far as it could go until I learned that enough gas is released with just one rotation. In fact, it is safer to do this. If there is ever a problem, you will be able to turn it off and stop the flow of gas quickly.

Turn the burner control that is closest to the ignition switch to High. Press the ignition switch one to two times to light the burner. If the grill does not light, turn off the burner and the propane. Allow the gas to dissipate for a few minutes before trying again.

Turn the other burner(s) to High. You should be able to hear them light as the flame leaps from one to the other.

That’s it! You did it.

Let the grill heat for about 10 minutes, then adjust the heat according to the recipe you are making.

Turning it off:

After removing the food from the grill, turn the heat to High and allow any remaining food bits cook off, about 5 minutes. The only way I remember to turn off the grill (because I’m busy eating) is to set a timer. You might want to do the same.

Turn off the valve first by turning the knob clockwise. By stopping the flow of the propane before turning off the burners, you insure that no gas will be caught in the hoses. Turn off all of the burners. Let the grill cool before closing and covering.

I have to admit I chuckled for a second too when I read the title of this post. You know what? For years I kept far away from our gas grill. I was scared to death of turning that thing on. I too would wait until someones schedule opened up (my day, husband, etc) before anything would get grillin’.When I have not grilled for a while I still cringe at the thought of blowing up a city block. Thank goodness today I am empowered with the ability to turn on my grill – otherwise hosting a grill event would be nothing less than odd

Sadly, our gas grill had to be retired and my husband insisted on replacing it with charcoal. Um, guess who does the grilling now? Charcoal’s fine, but sometimes you just want to turn it on and cook already.

I think this is a great tutorial. I am not sure i understand the fear though, maybe because i have been grilling since i was a kid and LOVE IT, i will turn on the grill snow, rain or sun. When i have a craving i really do not care if it snowing outside i will open the grill and put on some kebabs or meat on it – just because it tastes so much better. But great tutorial – you should do one for charcoal now

OK, I have to chuckle…for all of the women so afraid of turning on the grill…do they fear for their husband’s lives each time they ask him to do it too?

I’ve been single for a long time (OK, tempted to say cause the hubs was starting the grill one night and whoosh he was gone; only wish it had been that simple!) but I’ve become so grill proficient I have guys asking me for tips. I cook on the grill year round so ladies…take Dara’s advice and get your grill on! I NEVER cook anything in the oven that can’t be put on the grill and that includes a turkey at Thanksgiving. Think ease of cleanup and now you know why!

Funny! Are we related? Last year was the first time I finally did the grill myself. I will need to have the hubby repeat the lesson at the begining of each year tho. If I don’t use it, I lose it!!! (Too much 80’s trivia in my head..no room to retain things I’m not using )

Very timely, Dara! When I retweeted your original tweet – I actually got back several tweets (four) thanking me for retweeting it as they were all very afraid of their gas grill! I would have never thought to post a post like this and it is clearly necessary, so good for you! And that should place the big smile on your lips instead of hubby’s!
Valerie

can’t tell you how many times sitting at the table I have jumped up to run outside just because I forgot to turn off the grill – the timer is a great idea…my only problem is remembering nothings in the oven…

I wish I had seen this earlier. I would have shared it with my mother before she decided to fire up my gas grill. Especially the mention if it didn’t light to turn it off and let the gas dissipate before trying again! She lost a few eyelashes that evening.

Thank you so much! It is September now that I finally have found this article, but I just got the grill turned on for the first time myself!!! Yeay! Now the ribs are cooking away and I can’t wait for next year! Thanks again, and tell your husband that there are some of us that need a little encouragement on even the little things!

Thank you so much for this. Like many of you, I’m afraid I’m going to blow something up. I’ve always relied on the hubby for this but now I’d like to surprise him by grilling something up on Valentines day